Mining the Mid-Majors: Best Players Beyond Top Six Conferences

Despite a frustration flap with his father/coach, there is little doubt Creighton forward Doug McDermott will be anointed as an All-American this season. But will any other mid-major diamond-in-the-rough be treated in a similar fashion?

Understandably, playmaker-obsessed analyst Doug Gottlieb promoted Iona guard Scott Machado all last season. But Machado, leading the nation in assists, may have messed up monumentally with a seven-point, four-turnover outing at Loyola (MD) in a recent battle for first place in the MAAC. Gottlieb probably would have been better off conducting PR for Saint Mary's floor general Matthew Dellavedova, the West Coast Conference's player of the year.

Among the mid-level players with high-level games are Murray State guard Isaiah Canaan (led the Racers to a 23-0 start), Weber State guard Damian Lillard (leading the nation in scoring), UNLV frontcourter Mike Moser (one of the country's top rebounders) and Norfolk State center Kyle O'Quinn (perhaps the nation's best-kept secret).

Questioning the qualifications of voters quickly comes to mind when assessing the list of standouts who weren't acknowledged as All-Americans. Despite stellar collegiate careers, including player of the year acclaim in a mid-major conference, a striking number of individuals didn't generate sufficient national recognition to be chosen as an All-American. For instance, Paul Millsap of Louisiana Tech led the nation in rebounding three straight seasons from 2003-04 through 2005-06 but wasn't accorded All-American status. Norris Cole, Mr. Versatility for Cleveland State last season, was shunned before going on to average almost 9 ppg and 3 apg with the Miami Heat this year.

The overlooked features two prominent floor generals who went on to lead the NBA in assists a total of 14 times--John Stockton (nine) and two-time MVP Steve Nash (five)--plus Tim Hardaway, who averaged 8.2 apg during his 13-year pro career; Joe Dumars, a six-time NBA All-Star guard and 1989 NBA Finals MVP, and Derek Fisher, who received five championship rings with the Los Angeles Lakers in the first decade of the 21st Century. Among shunned frontcourters, two-time conference MVPs Chris Gatling, Brian Grant, Popeye Jones and Rik Smits each played at least 11 seasons in the NBA.

Whether they are coaches who need to come out of the film-watching closet or members of the lame stream media, many incompetent voters should be deep-sixed for overdosing on the premier leagues while looking condescendingly upon mid-level players. Why were the following DI conference MVPs left behind in regard to securing All-American status before they enjoyed NBA/ABA careers of at least six seasons?

Player, Position, School (Mid-Level Conference/MVP Season)
Mark Acres, F, Oral Roberts (Midwestern City/1982-83 and 1983-84)
Rick Adelman, G, Loyola, Calif. (West Coast Athletic/1967-68)
Jim Ard, C, Cincinnati (Missouri Valley/1969-70)
Vin Baker, C, Hartford (North Atlantic/1992-93)
Jose Juan Barea, G, Northeastern (Colonial Athletic Association/2005-06)
Anthony Carter, G, Hawaii (Western Athletic/1996-97)
Terry Catledge, F, South Alabama (Sun Belt/1983-84 and 1984-85)
Chris Childs, G, Boise State (Big Sky/1988-89)
Doug Christie, G-F, Pepperdine (West Coast/1990-91 and 1991-92)
Craig "Speedy" Claxton, G, Hofstra (America East/1997-98 and 1999-2000)
Wayne Cooper, C, New Orleans (Sun Belt/1977-78)
Antonio Daniels, G, Bowling Green (Mid-American/1996-97)
Bryce Drew, G, Valparaiso (Mid-Continent/1996-97 and 1997-98)
Joe Dumars, G, McNeese State (Southland/1984-85)
Ledell Eackles, F, New Orleans (American South/1987-88)
Blue Edwards, F, East Carolina (Colonial Athletic Association/1988-89)
Melvin Ely, C, Fresno State (Western Athletic/2000-01 and 2001-02)
Derek Fisher, G, Arkansas-Little Rock (Sun Belt/1995-96)
Fred Foster, F, Miami of Ohio (Mid-American/1967-68)
Winston Garland, G, Southwest Missouri State (Mid-Continent/1986-87)
Chris Gatling, C-F, Old Dominion (Sun Belt/1989-90 and 1990-91)
Kenny Gattison, F, Old Dominion (Sun Belt/1985-86)
Mike Glenn, G, Southern Illinois (Missouri Valley/1975-76)
Brian Grant, F-C, Xavier (Midwestern Collegiate/1992-93 and 1993-94)
Willie Green, G, Detroit (Horizon League/2002-03)
Bob Gross, F-G, Long Beach State (PCAA/1974-75)
Tim Hardaway, G, Texas-El Paso (Western Athletic/1988-89)
Trenton Hassell, F, Austin Peay (Ohio Valley/2000-01)
Armond Hill, G, Princeton (Ivy League/1975-76)
Tyrone Hill, F-C, Xavier (Midwestern Collegiate/1989-90)
Roy Hinson, C, Rutgers (Atlantic 10/1982-83)
Lindsey Hunter, G, Jackson State (Southwestern Athletic/1992-93)
Avery Johnson, G, Southern, La. (Southwestern Athletic/1987-88)
Eddie Jones, F-G, Temple (Atlantic 10/1993-94)
Ronald "Popeye" Jones, C, Murray State (Ohio Valley/1989-90 and 1990-91)
Chris Kaman, C, Central Michigan (Mid-American/2002-03)
Joe Kleine, C, Arkansas (Southwest/1984-85)
Larry Krystkowiak, F, Montana (Big Sky/1983-84 through 1985-86)
Jim Les, G, Bradley (Missouri Valley/1985-86)
Reggie Lewis, F, Boston University (ECAC North Atlantic/1984-85 through 1986-87)
Grant Long, F, Eastern Michigan (Mid-American/1987-88)
Pace Mannion, G-F, Utah (Western Athletic/1982-83)
Aaron McKie, G, Temple (Atlantic 10/1992-93)
Steve Mix, C-F, Toledo (Mid-American/1968-69)
Steve Nash, G, Santa Clara (West Coast/1994-95 and 1995-96)
Johnny Newman, F, Richmond (ECAC South/1983-84)
Norm Nixon, G, Duquesne (Eastern Collegiate Basketball League/1976-77)
Michael Olowokandi, C, Pacific (Big West/1997-98)
Anthony Parker, G-F, Bradley (Missouri Valley/1995-96)
Robert "Sonny" Parker, G-F, Texas A&M (Southwest/1974-75)
Tim Perry, F, Temple (Atlantic 10/1987-88)
Kurt Rambis, C-F, Santa Clara (West Coast Athletic/1979-80)
Dan Roundfield, F, Central Michigan (Mid-American/1974-75)
Brian Shaw, G, UC Santa Barbara (PCAA/1987-88)
Reggie Slater, C, Wyoming (Western Athletic/1991-92)
Larry Smith, F, Alcorn State (Southwestern Athletic/1979-80)
Rik Smits, C, Marist (ECAC Metro/1986-87 and 1987-88)
Ricky Sobers, G, UNLV (West Coast Athletic/1974-75)
John Stockton, G, Gonzaga (West Coast Athletic/1983-84)
Rodney Stuckey, G, Eastern Washington (Big Sky/2005-06)
George Trapp, F, Long Beach State (PCAA/1969-70 and 1970-71)
Gary Trent, F, Ohio University (Mid-American/1992-93 through 1994-95)
Ronny Turiaf, F, Gonzaga (West Coast/2004-05)
David Wesley, G, Baylor (Southwest/1991-92)